Newbies: Getting Started with Exercise at 200-300+ lbs

Just wondering what exercise methods worked best when starting out at your highest weight?

The first 7 months after banding, all I did for exercise was walk my dogs.

Started out with walking to my mailbox and back (longish driveway.. live out in the sticks).

Each day I'd make myself take a few more steps and then back home.  From mailbox to stump in neighbors yard.  then from stump to fence line.  next from fence line to large oak.. etc.

I worked up to where I was walking more than a mile a day.  My doggies loved it.   Then the rains started.. I can walk in the rain, no problem.. but my schnauzer hates the rain.  So I started going to the gym and using the treadmill.

Honestly, I was very nervous about going to the gym.  We are in a small town and at the time this was the only gym that met my time schedule.  When it was under previous management years ago I had tried going there and learning how to use the machines.  I spoke to one of the young men who was a trainer there and told him I didn't want to get overly sore.  I knew me and if I did, I didn't think I would be back.  He made fun of me!!  Hurt my feelings and I never went back.

So when I started again, I talked to the new owners and made sure that that would not happen again.  They assured me that that would not happen again and if anyone made me feel bad to please talk to them.  And it has not happened.  :)  I"m pretty satisfied with the new management (nothing is perfect.. LOL)

I would just buy a weeks membership at a time when I started cuz I didn't know if I would keep it up.  After I had been going a few weeks, one of the trainers started talking to me about working one on one.  I thought about it for a week, then hired her.  Best decision I ever made since getting banded.  She taught me many things I can now do alone.. but having someone to encourage me is priceless!

I now go to the gym 5 days a week.. I do almost every class they offer and then a little bit on my own.  I've also signed up for 2 races in the next 2 weeks (I might be crazy..lol) I did NOT START at this level, but if I can do this anyone can.   March 9, 2009 I was 383 and could barely walk a few blocks without resting and wearing a 5 or 6X (34/36).   This morning I was 193.6, can out do my 23 year old son (he couldn't make it all the way through one of my classes), and wearing a size 16/18.. Large to XL (depending on maker).

Congradulations Lisa!!!! I am so happy for you!  You've done a fantastic job!

Tracy

Another good one that I use when I hurt myself is Richard Simmons sit down and exercise dvd.  He makes you work out sitting down in a chair my sister uses that all the time because she cant walk without her crutches and needs to exercise .

It works your arms, your legs and everything but you are just sitting down in a chair :o)  I cant remember the name of it but you can find it on his site or ebay they sell his tapes really cheap on there .

Good point.  I sometimes forget about people with severe joint issues.  :(  My bad.

There's also water exercises if there's a pool available.  Not one in my town.. even the public pool has closed.

I think the sparkpeople website has some info on chair exercises too.

I like the treadmill.  I'm trying to get to the point where I will be able to run a few miles.  I like the treamills at the gym because they have little TVs.  I find a show I like to watch and I get lost in the episode and before I know it I jogged 60 minutes.  I have thought about books on tape but I like to read books not listen to them (I can't read while jogging I'm moving too much and it makes me sick).  But that's always an idea for people.